Quck answer
To grow a mulberry tree, follow these steps:
1. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
3. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, firming it gently.
4. Water the tree thoroughly and add a layer of mulch around the base.
5. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
6. Prune the tree in late winter to remove dead or crossing branches.
7. Harvest the mulberries when they are fully ripe and enjoy!
Growing a mulberry tree requires patience and care, but the delicious fruits make it all worth it.
If you want to add more indigenous plants to your garden, consider planting a red mulberry tree (Morus rubra, USDA zones 4-9) and contribute to conservation efforts. These attractive fruit trees, also known as common mulberries, are now endangered in Connecticut and Massachusetts and considered threatened in Michigan and Vermont.
Mulberry trees can grow up to 60 feet tall and live for up to a century, producing delectable berries in the spring and summer. While some varieties have both male and female flowers on the same plant, most require planting both a male and female tree for fruit production.
Despite their unique appearance and sweet berries, it is important to note that the male plant’s pollen can trigger pollen allergies. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, mulberry trees may not be the best option for you. Here’s what you need to know about growing and caring for a red mulberry tree.
Is Morus rubra toxic?
Ripe mulberries are safe for consumption by humans and pets, but unripe berries and the tree’s milky sap can cause hallucinations and stomach discomfort. The sap can also trigger an itchy rash in some people, known as contact dermatitis. It is safe to grow red mulberries at home, but keep the trees out of reach of vulnerable family members and clean up fallen berries, leaves, and branches regularly.
Uses for Red Mulberry Trees
The heart-shaped leaves of the red mulberry tree offer a distinctive appearance in gardens and they look particularly appealing clustered together in areas that require a natural wooded look. They grow quickly and can create a lovely grove in five years.
While these North American natives add beauty to gardens, their juicy black and purple berries can be both a blessing and a curse. Most gardeners grow these trees for their fruit, which can be eaten fresh or used to make jams, jellies, pies, and other treats.
However, mulberries are delicate and juicy, which is why they are not often found in grocery stores. They are too fragile to transport. The only way to enjoy them is to cultivate them. However, their fragility can be problematic as the juice can easily stain anything it comes into contact with, including driveways and sidewalks.
To avoid staining sidewalks and driveways, plant mulberry trees away from these areas. It is also recommended to plant mulberry trees in low-traffic areas, as berries can stick to the bottom of shoes and stain carpets and floors. If you like the look of mulberry trees but don’t want the mess, fruitless ornamental cultivars are available.
How to Cultivate a Red Mulberry Tree
Plant Profile: Red Mulberry Tree
The red mulberry tree, also known as Morus rubra, is a deciduous tree that grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. To start a red mulberry tree from a sapling, wait until all danger of frost has passed in the spring and choose a sunny spot for planting. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and only deep enough to accommodate the roots. Spread the roots apart and place the tree in the hole so that it sits at the same depth it enjoyed in the original container. Backfill the hole with native soil, tamp down the soil well, and water the tree thoroughly. Space multiple trees 30 to 50 feet apart.
Red mulberry trees prefer full sun but will tolerate light shade and a variety of soils. They grow best in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 and should be irrigated as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Fertilize with a 10-10-10 fertilizer or organic equivalent each spring and mulch with compost in the fall. Pruning is not necessary but can promote greater fruit production. If pruning, do so in late winter and avoid making cuts wider than 2 inches. Remove dead or diseased branches and those with narrow crotches, but avoid overpruning by removing only about five branches.
Steps to Propagate Red Mulberry Trees
Red mulberry trees can be propagated through seeds or cuttings. While seeds can easily germinate, they take a long time to bear fruit. Cuttings are more feasible, although some gardeners have experienced difficulty with this method. If you still want to try, here’s how:
- Get a 12-inch stem from your red mulberry tree with at least three nodes. Take cuttings during winter or spring, depending on your preference.
- Remove the leaves at the bottom and scrape away the bottom inch of bark with a knife.
- Dip the cutting in rooting compound and plant it in a 4-inch container of potting soil about 1 inch deep.
- Keep the potted cutting in a shady area and moisten the soil regularly. Roots may form between two to 16 weeks.
- Once the roots fill the pot, choose a sunny spot and plant the tree in the ground. Cuttings can produce fruit faster than trees grown from seeds but may still take five or more years to bear berries.
Harvesting Red Mulberries
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Harvest red mulberries when they turn a deep shade of red, resembling purple or black. They are ready late in spring or early in summer. You can easily pull ripe fruit from the tree, but be mindful not to knock other berries on the ground. Place a blanket or tarp on the ground and shake the tree gently to gather the fallen berries.
Keep unwashed mulberries in the fridge in a sealed container for several days. You can also make jams or baked goods with them, or freeze them for later use.
Common Problems for Red Mulberry Trees
Red mulberry trees have few pest problems, but scale insects, mites, and mealybugs sometimes visit. You can remove them with water or insecticidal soap if they become persistent.
When it comes to insect borers affecting plants in the South, they are considered minor pests. They usually won’t attack a tree unless it’s already stressed. Proper care of your mulberry tree, avoiding injuries caused by mowers or trimmers, and pruning away damaged limbs as soon as possible can help prevent issues.
Growing berries means that birds, squirrels, and even neighbors’ children may help themselves to your harvest. Luckily, red mulberry trees are prolific and often produce more than enough. If you’re worried, planting a second female tree can double your yield.
Mulberry trees, like most plants, are vulnerable to fungal infections and diseases. Proper gardening techniques such as spacing the trees correctly and watering them at ground level can prevent many of these diseases. Popcorn disease is a fungal disease that causes berries to swell up and fall off the tree. Prompt disposal of affected berries and spraying the tree with a copper fungicide can help save the remaining crop. Witch’s broom is a disease that causes dense twig clusters in the tree’s branches, and the only solution is to prune them out as needed.